Salah sends Liverpool on way to Cardiff win

Sadio Mane scored twice as Liverpool took advantage of their title rivals’ inactivity to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win at home to Cardiff yesterday as Bournemouth and Watford both continued their fine starts to the season. Liverpool were the only club who started the weekend among the top five in action yesterday, with reigning champions Manchester City not facing Tottenham Hotspur until Monday.

Meanwhile, midweek European commitments also meant that Chelsea, like City and Liverpool yet to lose in the Premier League this season, we're playing Burnley on Sunday, when in-form Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace and Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford. Mohamed Salah, now putting a stuttering start to the season behind him, fired Liverpool into a 10th-minute lead. From a cross into the Cardiff box, Mane’s shot was blocked by Sean Morrison but Egypt forward Salah pounced on the rebound for his 33rd goal in 35 games at Anfield. But as long as the lead was just 1-0, Cardiff were still in the game.

Mane, however, doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 66th minute when, running on to an Alberto Moreno pass, he smashed a shot into the top corner. But Liverpool’s hopes of a club record 10th successive home clean sheet were dashed in the 77th minute when Callum Paterson turned in a cross deflected by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk. However, two goals inside the final 10 minutes from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane put the result beyond doubt.

“A team like this are never easy to play, sometimes you have to be patient, try not to lose the ball,” said Mane. “I was very happy of course to score but most important is the three points,” the Senegal international added. Bournemouth closed on fifth-placed Tottenham with a 3-0 win away to Fulham.